CM Dhami Inspects Dehradun Science City, Launches Vigyan Setu Channels
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inspected the under-construction Science City in Dehradun on 13 July 2026 and launched three Vigyan Setu science-outreach channels — Vigyan Vaani (88.8 MHz FM), Vigyan Drishyam and Vigyan Dhara — while participating in a STIP policy seminar.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a site inspection of the under-construction Science City project in Dehradun on 13 July 2026 .
Three new science-outreach channels — Vigyan Vaani (88.8 MHz) , Vigyan Drishyam and Vigyan Dhara — were launched under the Vigyan Setu programme.
Vigyan Vaani is a dedicated FM radio channel aimed at reaching audiences including those in remote hill districts with limited internet access.
The Chief Minister also participated in a seminar on Uttarakhand's Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) , signalling alignment with the national STIP framework.
The Science City is planned to house interactive exhibits, a planetarium and innovation spaces for public science education in Dehradun .
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday, 13 July 2026 conducted a site inspection of the under-construction Science City project in Dehradun, reviewing construction progress and proposed facilities. At the same event, he launched three new science-outreach initiatives under the Vigyan Setu programme and participated in a seminar on the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP).
Context
Posting on X, Chief Minister Dhami said he inspected the site of the nirmanadhin Sains Siti pariyojana (under-construction Science City project) in Dehradun, reviewing construction work and planned amenities. On the occasion, he launched 'Vigyan Vaani — 88.8 MHz', 'Vigyan Drishyam' and 'Vigyan Dhara' under the Vigyan Setu umbrella, and took part in a parisanvad (seminar) on the state's Science, Technology and Innovation Policy.
The three newly launched channels represent distinct outreach formats: Vigyan Vaani is a dedicated FM radio frequency, Vigyan Drishyam is a visual or video science platform, and Vigyan Dhara is a digital content stream — together designed to widen public access to science communication across Uttarakhand.
Policy Backdrop
Vigyan Setu is an Uttarakhand government initiative aimed at popularising science through multi-channel outreach. The programme fits within a broader national direction set by the draft Science, Technology and Innovation Policy released by the Government of India in December 2020, which sought to replace the earlier 2013 STIP and build a stronger national innovation ecosystem with regional capacity at its core.
The Science City project in Dehradun is envisioned as a public-facing facility housing interactive science exhibits, a planetarium, and innovation spaces. Dehradun, already home to premier institutions such as IIT Roorkee and several research centres, is positioned as a natural anchor for the state's science infrastructure push.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of both the Science City and the Vigyan Setu launches are students, researchers, and science communicators across Uttarakhand. FM radio channel Vigyan Vaani at 88.8 MHz is particularly significant for reaching audiences in hilly and remote districts where internet connectivity remains uneven.
States expanding dedicated science infrastructure and outreach mechanisms are seen as critical to meeting national STEM targets, especially for populations outside major metropolitan centres. The STIP seminar held alongside the inspections signals that Uttarakhand is actively aligning its state-level policy with the national innovation framework.
What's Next
The timeline for completion of the Dehradun Science City will be a key indicator of the state's commitment to the project, with stakeholders watching for formal cabinet decisions or budget allocations tied to STIP-aligned programmes in the next legislative session. The operationalisation of Vigyan Vaani, Vigyan Drishyam and Vigyan Dhara will also be monitored for reach and content quality. Together, these steps could establish Uttarakhand as a model for state-level science popularisation in the hill-state context.
Point of View
Not merely a policy aspiration. Anchoring outreach in FM radio — a medium that penetrates the state's mountainous terrain — alongside digital platforms reflects a pragmatic approach to STEM inclusion in a geographically challenging state. The concurrent STIP seminar suggests the administration is building a policy paper trail to attract central funding and private investment for the Science City. For the BJP government in Uttarakhand, visible science infrastructure also carries electoral optics, positioning the state as a development model ahead of future assembly cycles.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Science City project in Dehradun?
The Science City project in Dehradun is an under-construction public facility planned to house interactive science exhibits, a planetarium and innovation spaces to promote science education in Uttarakhand .
What is Vigyan Setu in Uttarakhand?
Vigyan Setu is an Uttarakhand government science-popularisation initiative that runs multiple outreach channels including FM radio, visual media and digital content streams to make science accessible to the general public.
What is Vigyan Vaani 88.8 MHz?
Vigyan Vaani is a dedicated FM radio channel at 88.8 MHz launched under the Vigyan Setu programme by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on 13 July 2026 , aimed at broadcasting science content across Uttarakhand including its remote hill districts.
What is India's Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP)?
The Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) is a national policy framework. The Government of India released a draft in December 2020 to replace the 2013 STIP , aiming to strengthen research, innovation and technology self-reliance with greater regional capacity.
What did CM Dhami launch on 13 July 2026?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami launched three Vigyan Setu channels — Vigyan Vaani (88.8 MHz FM) , Vigyan Drishyam and Vigyan Dhara — on 13 July 2026 during his inspection of the Dehradun Science City construction site.
